One of the more intriguing questions during Lightning training camp will be who will be the new team captain. Speculation, naturally, surrounds stars, linemates and friends Marty St. Louis and Steven Stamkos.

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Stamkos on Tuesday, the day before the start of camp at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, said St. Louis deserves the honor.

"You have to think, from my point of view anyway, it will go to Marty," Stamkos said. "He's been a guy who has been here a long time. He deserves a chance to wear the C."

The job came open in June when Vinny Lecavalier, the captain since the 2008-09 season, was bought out of his contract and signed with the Flyers.

Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper has not addressed the issue, and the feeling is he won't name a captain until the week before the regular season.

St. Louis, 38, has been with Tampa Bay since 2000, is its all-time points leader, the last player remaining from the team's 2004 Stanley Cup championship and was a mentor to Stamkos. He has two years left on his contract. Stamkos, 23, is the team's best player and is expected to be the face of the franchise for years to come. Both were alternates behind Lecavalier.

"We all know what kind of guy Marty is and the leader that he is," Stamkos said, and added, "No matter who gets it, it's not going to change the way anyone looks at anyone in this room. But if I had to put some money down, I'd put it on Marty."